HL Deb 09 November 1999 vol 606 c138WA
Lord Alton of Liverpool

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to President Jiang Zemin during his state visit about women's rights in China and the pursuit of population policies carried out under China's one child policy. [HL4310]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Both my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary discussed human rights with the Chinese during the state visit, including the treatment of Chinese dissidents and Falun Gong practitioners, the situation in Tibet and raised cases of individuals detained in China.

We have participated in two international seminars on women's rights arranged under the EU human rights dialogue with China in October 1998 and July 1999.

Our position on the one child policy in China is well known to the Chinese Government. We believe family planning is a matter for informed parental choice and we do not fund projects directly related to it.

Lord Craigmyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress is being made on human rights issues in China and Tibet as a result of the state visit of President Jiang Zemin of China. [HL4320]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister was able to discuss human rights in China, including Tibet, with President Jiang Zemin when they met on 21 October. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary also raised human rights issues with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Tang Jiaxuan, on 20 October. The Chinese Government are thus well aware of our concerns.

We remain convinced that addressing them through the regular high level bilateral human rights dialogue is the best way to achieve progress over the longer term. Started in September 1997, the dialogue has allowed the Government to raise a wide range of human rights concerns direct with the Chinese Government. The last round took place between 13–15 September in London. We also provide active input into the EU/China dialogue. Since the dialogue began there have been significant moves by the Chinese Government, including the signatures of the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the visit to Peking and Tibet in September 1998 by Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.